Reduced stereoacuity as a predictor for clinically significant convergence insufficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
Ari Leshno ◽  
Chaim Stolovitch ◽  
Ofira Zloto ◽  
Sharon Blum Meirovitch ◽  
Daphna Mezad-Koursh

BackgroundStereoacuity relies on accurate binocular alignment. Convergence insufficiency (CI) a binocular motor disorder, interferes with near work.ObjectiveTo investigate the association between convergence amplitude (CA) and stereoacuity in a large paediatric cohort.MethodsRetrospective chart review included patients aged 6–17 years; excluded patients with amblyopia, manifest strabismus or visual acuity <20/30 in either eye. Stereoacuity, measured by Randot test was defined as normal (≤40arcsec), subnormal (50–400arcsec) and poor (>400 arcsec). CA, measured using base out prism bar was defined by fusion break point (BP) and recovery point (RP), as none (BP=0), poor (BP <20 prism diopter (PD)), borderline (BP <30 PD or RP <20 PD), good (BP ≥30 PD and RP ≥20 PD) and excellent (does not break at 40PD).ResultsIn 2200 subjects included, we found an increased prevalence of normal stereoacuity as convergence ability improves (χ2 test, p<0.001) with a negative correlation between stereoacuity and BP (Pearson correlation −0.13, p<0.001).CI was significantly associated with below normal stereopsis OR 1.86 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.7, p<0.001). Conversely, prevalence of CI was similar, whether or not CI-symptoms were reported. Follow-up data of at least 2.5 years from presentation was available for a small subgroup of 21 patients treated for CI. Convergence improved in 14 (66%), rate of normal stereoacuity increased from 29% at baseline to 76% at last follow-up (p=0.006).ConclusionsCA affects stereoacuity function in children. Evaluation of CA is required in all cases with poor stereoacuity, especially when other etiologies are amiss. The role of convergence improvement exercise on stereoacuity warrants further investigation.

2015 ◽  
pp. 206-213

The prevalence of vision deficits in the pediatric/young adult concussion population in the private optometric practice setting remains unknown. Thus, a retrospective chart review in this area was conducted in the practice of the first author. Twenty-five consecutive patients with a medical diagnosis of concussion received a comprehensive vision and ocular health examination, which also included an objectively-based Visagraph reading assessment and clinical vergence/accommodative facility testing. Three primary categories of oculomotor-based deficits were found: convergence insufficiency (56%), accommodative insufficiency (76%), and oculomotor-based reading dysfunctions (68-82%). The most common symptom was headaches (84%), with 25% of the symptoms related to reading. 68% (15/22) were categorized as reading at least 2 grade levels below their current school grade level for reading eye movements based on the Visagraph findings. These overall findings are consistent with the general oculomotor-based/reading findings in the concussion/mTBI literature. The present results have important practical ramifications regarding the importance of preconcussion baseline oculomotor and Visagraph testing, as well as post-concussion follow-up testing, to help assess a student’s ability to return-to-learn (RTL).


2011 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. E3 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Alex Rottgers ◽  
Peter D. Kim ◽  
Anand Raj Kumar ◽  
James J. Cray ◽  
Joseph E. Losee ◽  
...  

Object Sagittal craniosynostosis is the most common form of craniosynostosis and is commonly treated within the first year of life. Optimal treatment of patients older than 1 year of age is not well characterized. The authors reviewed cases of sagittal craniosynostosis involving patients who were treated surgically at their institution when they were older than 1 year in order to determine the rate of intracranial hypertension (ICH), potential to develop nonhealing cranial defects, and the need for various surgical procedures to treat the more mature phenotype. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all cases in the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Neurosurgery Database involving patients who underwent cranial vault remodeling for scaphocephaly after 1 year of age between October 2000 and December 2010. Results Ten patients were identified who met the inclusion criteria. Five patients underwent anterior two-thirds cranial vault remodeling procedures, 3 patients underwent posterior vault remodeling, and 2 patients underwent 2-staged total vault remodeling. All patients had improved head shapes, and mean cephalic indices improved from 65.4 to 69.1 (p = 0.05). Six patients exhibited signs of ICH. No patients with more than 3 months of follow-up exhibited palpable calvarial defects. Conclusions Patients with sagittal synostosis treated after 1 year of age demonstrate increased rates of ICH, warranting diligent evaluations and surveillance to detect it; rarely develop clinically significant cranial defects if appropriate bone grafting is performed at the time of surgery; and achieve acceptable improvements in head shape.


2021 ◽  
pp. 088307382098406
Author(s):  
Kristen Munro ◽  
Anne E. Keller ◽  
Helen Lowe ◽  
Enza Ferrara ◽  
Robyn Whitney ◽  
...  

Objectives: The objectives were to investigate the relationship between ketogenic diet therapy and neutropenia in children with epilepsy. Methods: A retrospective chart review of children who initiated ketogenic diet at the Hospital for Sick Children between January 1, 2000, and May 1, 2018 was performed. Factors associated with the development of neutropenia during ketogenic diet therapy were evaluated and the relationship between development of a significant or suspected infection and neutrophil count was analyzed. Results: One hundred two children met inclusion criteria and were followed on the diet for up to 24 months. Thirteen of 102 (13%) children were neutropenic at diet initiation. In the remaining 89 children, 27 developed neutropenia. Developing neutropenia was significantly associated with the ketogenic diet at 6 (13%), 12 (23%), and 24 (25%) months follow-up. Developing neutropenia was associated with higher urinary ketones (OR = 4.26, 95% CI: 1.27, 14.15) and longer duration of ketogenic diet therapy (OR = 3.29, 95% CI: 1.42, 7.96). There was no significant association between development of a clinically significant infection and neutropenia. Conclusion: Ketogenic diet therapy is associated with neutropenia in children with epilepsy, however, it does not have a significant clinical impact. Concern regarding neutropenia should not discourage the use of the ketogenic diet in children.


2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (5) ◽  
pp. 627-633
Author(s):  
Marcos J. Carruitero ◽  
Aron Aliaga-Del Castillo ◽  
Daniela Garib ◽  
Guilherme Janson

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the stability of maxillary interincisor diastema closure and the relationship between space relapse and interincisor diastema width, overjet, overbite, angulations between adjacent maxillary anterior teeth and presence of intermaxillary osseous cleft after orthodontic treatment with extractions. Materials and Methods Twenty-four individuals with a maxillary interincisor diastema pretreatment, treated with maxillary first premolar extractions were evaluated. Dental casts and panoramic radiographs taken at pretreatment (T1), posttreatment (T2), and posttreatment follow-up (T3) were assessed. Periapical radiographs at T1 and T2 were also evaluated. Diastema relapse was assumed when T3-T2 interincisor space change was greater than zero. Diastema relapse was considered clinically significant when it was at least 0.50 mm. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by post hoc Tukey tests or Friedman followed by Wilcoxon tests. T-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression analyses were also performed. Results No statistically significant relapse of maxillary interincisor diastemas was found. The percentage of clinically significant relapse of the maxillary interincisor diastemas was 27.78%. Specifically, for the interincisor midline diastema, it was 8.33%. Conclusions Maxillary interincisor diastema closure showed no statistically significant relapse after orthodontic treatment with premolar extractions. Clinically significant stability for maxillary interincisor diastema closure was 72.22% and, specifically, for interincisor midline diastema closure, it was 91.67%.


2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua L. Dyme ◽  
Ashis Thampan ◽  
Eugenia J. Han ◽  
Themba L. Nyirenda ◽  
Mohy E. Kotb ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionPropranolol was recently discovered to be an effective treatment for infantile haemangiomas, and varying doses and monitoring regimens have been proposed. Adverse events, although uncommon, have been reported.Materials and methodsThis was a retrospective chart review of infants with haemangiomas who were started on propranolol at a dose of 3 milligrams per kilogram per day on an outpatient basis. After a baseline cardiac evaluation including an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram, treatment was initiated during 6 hours of observation.ResultsA total of 15 patients were identified; however, only 13 returned for at least one follow-up visit. This cohort was followed up for a median of 2.8 months with a range from 0.2 to 10.0. No hypotension, hypoglycaemia, bronchospasm, or clinically significant bradycardia occurred during treatment. All patients had clinical improvement of their haemangiomas.ConclusionsThis study suggests that initiating treatment during outpatient observation may be a reasonable alternative to inpatient admission. In addition, expensive testing may not be necessary during pre-treatment screening when the physical examination is normal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laney K. Jones ◽  
Megan McMinn ◽  
David Kann ◽  
Michael Lesko ◽  
Amy C. Sturm ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Individuals with complex dyslipidemia, or those with medication intolerance, are often difficult to manage in primary care. They require the additional attention, expertise, and adherence counseling that occurs in multidisciplinary lipid clinics (MDLCs). We conducted a program evaluation of the first year of a newly implemented MDLC utilizing the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) framework to provide empirical data not only on program effectiveness, but also on components important to local sustainability and future generalizability. Methods The purpose of the MDLC is to increase the uptake of guideline-based care for lipid conditions. Established in 2019, the MDLC provides care via a centralized clinic location within the healthcare system. Primary care providers and cardiologists were invited to refer individuals with lipid conditions. Using a pre/post-study design, we evaluated the implementation outcomes from the MDLC using the RE-AIM framework. Results In 2019, 420 referrals were made to the MDLC (reach). Referrals were made by 19% (148) of the 796 active cardiology and primary care providers, with an average of 35 patient referrals per month in 2019 (SD 12) (adoption). The MDLC saw 83 patients in 2019 (reach). Additionally, 50% (41/82) had at least one follow-up MDLC visit, and 12% (10/82) had two or more follow-up visits in 2019 (implementation). In patients seen by the MDLC, we found an improved diagnosis of specific lipid conditions (FH (familial hypercholesterolemia), hypertriglyceridemia, and dyslipidemia), increased prescribing of evidence-based therapies, high rates of medication prior authorization approvals, and significant reductions in lipid levels by lipid condition subgroup (effectiveness). Over time, the operations team decided to transition from in-person follow-up to telehealth appointments to increase capacity and sustain the clinic (maintenance). Conclusions Despite limited reach and adoption of the MDLC, we found a large intervention effect that included improved diagnosis, increased prescribing of guideline-recommended treatments, and clinically significant reduction of lipid levels. Attention to factors including solutions to decrease the large burden of unseen referrals, discussion of the appropriate number and duration of visits, and sustainability of the clinic model could aid in enhancing the success of the MDLC and improving outcomes for more patients throughout the system.


RMD Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. e001372
Author(s):  
Sella Aarrestad Provan ◽  
Brigitte Michelsen ◽  
Joseph Sexton ◽  
Tillmann Uhlig ◽  
Hilde Berner Hammer

ObjectivesTo define fatigue trajectories in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who initiate biological DMARD (bDMARD) treatment, and explore baseline predictors for a trajectory of continued fatigue.MethodsOne-hundred and eighty-four patients with RA initiating bDMARDs were assessed at 0, 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months. Swollen and tender joint counts, patient reported outcomes (PROMs), blood samples and ultrasound examinations were collected at each time point. Fatigue was assessed by the fatigue Numeric Rating Scale (0–10) from the Rheumatoid Arthritis Impact of Disease (RAID) questionnaire. Clinically significant fatigue was predefined as fatigue ≥4. Three trajectories of interest were defined according to level of RAID fatigue: no fatigue (≤3 at 5/6 visits), improved fatigue (≥4 at start, but ≤3 at follow-up) and continued fatigue (≥4 at 5/6 visits). Baseline variables were compared between groups by bivariate analyses, and logistic regression models were used to explore baseline predictors of continued vs improved fatigue.ResultsThe majority of patients starting bDMARD therapy followed one of three fatigue trajectories, (no fatigue; n=61, improved; n=33 and continued fatigue; n=53). Patients with continued fatigue were more likely to be anti–citrullinated protein antibody and/or rheumatoid factor positive and had higher baseline PROMs compared to the other groups, while there were no differences between the groups for variables of inflammation including. Patient global, tender joint count and anxiety were predictors for the continued fatigue trajectory.DiscussionA trajectory of continued fatigue was determined by PROMs and not by inflammatory RA disease activity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1392.2-1392
Author(s):  
M. De Oliveira ◽  
P. V. Alabarse ◽  
M. Farinon ◽  
R. Cavalheiro Do Espírito Santo ◽  
R. Xavier

Background:Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by increased mortality and associated with metabolic disorders. Since the metabolomic profile is known to vary in response to different inflammatory conditions, metabolome analysis could substantially improve diagnosis and prognosis of RA.Objectives:To analyze the urine metabolome profile in RA patients and correlate it with disease activity changes over 12 monthsMethods:Seventy-nine RA patients, according to ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria, between 40 and 70 years old, were recruited and followed for 12 months. Metabolome analysis was performed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR), resulting in the identification of 93 metabolites in urine collected at the baseline and after 12 months. Frequency analysis, Pearson Correlation and Multivariate data analysis with orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) method were performed and a statistical significance was considered as p<0.05.Results:The study population was characterized by the majority of women (86.7%), mean age of 56 years old, around 80% with positive anti-CCP or Rheumatoid Factor. During the one year of follow-up, there was no substantial variation in the DAS28 measurement (baseline: 3.8, after 12 months: 4.0). There was no significant correlation between the metabolome pattern and DAS28 score (p>0.05) over time. However, multivariate analysis (OPLS-DA) demonstrated an adequate differentiation of the population with 0.92 of accuracy (Q2: 0.72 and R2: 0.89).There was a significant increase of L-cysteine, choline, L-Phenylalanin, creatine, L-histidine, oxalacetic acid and xanthine, and a decrease of L-threonine, taurine, butyric and gluconic acid (p<0.05) during the follow-up, metabolites that are involved in the skeletal muscle metabolism.Conclusion:The observed biomarkers indicate,as expected, that the RA metabolic profile is associated with inflammation injury and skeletal muscle amino acid metabolism. Correlations with disease activity changes was compromised by the stable disease status during the 12 months. More studies evaluating correlations with skeletal muscle function and mass are underway.Acknowledgments:Disclosure of interest: Marianne Oliveira: None declared, Rafaela Santo: None declared, Mirian Farinon: None declared, Ricardo Xavier Consultant of: Abbvie, Pfizer, Novartis, Janssen, Lilly, RocheDisclosure of Interests:Marianne de Oliveira: None declared, Paulo Vinicius Alabarse: None declared, Mirian Farinon: None declared, Rafaela Cavalheiro do Espírito Santo: None declared, Ricardo Xavier Consultant of: AbbVie, Pfizer, Novartis, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Roche


Author(s):  
Irina P Karashchuk ◽  
Eve A Solomon ◽  
David G Greenhalgh ◽  
Soman Sen ◽  
Tina L Palmieri ◽  
...  

Abstract For medical and social reasons, it is important that burn patients attend follow up appointments (FUAs). Our goal was to examine the factors leading to missed FUAs in burn patients. A retrospective chart review was conducted of adult patients admitted to the burn center from 2016-2018. Data collected included burn characteristics, social history, and zip code. Data analysis was conducted using chi-square, Wilcox Rank Sum tests, and multivariate regression models. A total of 878 patients were analyzed, with 224 (25.5%) failing to attend any FUAs and 492 (56.0%) missing at least one appointment (MA). Patients who did not attend any FUAs had smaller burns (4.5 (8)% vs. 6.5 (11)% median (inter quartile range)), traveled farther (70.2 (111.8) vs. 52.5 (76.7) miles), and were more likely to be homeless (22.8% vs. 6.9%) and have drug dependence (47.3% vs. 27.2%). Patients who had at least one MA were younger (42 (26) vs. 46 (28) years) and more likely to be homeless (17.5% vs. 2.6%) and have drug dependence (42.5% vs. 19.4%). On multivariate analysis, factors associated with never attending a FUA were: distance from hospital (odds ratio (OR) 1.004), burn size (OR 0.96), and homelessness (OR 0.33). Factors associated with missing at least one FUA : age (OR 0.99), drug dependence (OR 0.46), homelessness (OR 0.22), and ED visits (OR 0.56). A high percentage of patients fail to make any appointment following their injury and/or have at least one MA. Both FUAs and MAs are influenced by social determinants of health.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112067212097604
Author(s):  
Reem R Al Huthail ◽  
Yasser H Al-Faky

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chronicity on the size of the ostium after external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with intubation. Methods: Design: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent external DCR with intubation over 10 years from January 2003 at a tertiary hospital. All patients were recruited and examined with rigid nasal endoscope. Results: A total number of 66 (85 eyes) patients were included. The mean age at the time of evaluation was 53.1 years with gender distribution of 54 females (81.8 %). The mean duration ±SD between the date of surgery and the date of evaluation was 33.2 ± 33.6 (6–118 months). Our study showed an overall anatomical and functional success of 98.8% and 95.3%, respectively. The mean size of the ostium (±SD) was 23.0 (±15.7) mm2 (ranging from 1 to 80.4 mm2). The size of the ostium was not a significant factor for failure ( p = 0.907). No statistically significant correlation was found between the long-term duration after surgery and the size of the ostium ( R: 0.025, p = 0.157). Conclusions: Nasal endoscopy after DCR is valuable in evaluating the ostium with no observed potential correlation between the long-term follow-up after surgery and the size of the ostium.


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